alternatives to baffles for algae in sump

[jmccown]

I previously posted about taking my 75g sump out of service long enough to install baffles. I just can't muster up enough confidence or time to take it out of commission for a couple of days to do this. So, I am now looking for some means to grow algaes without a refugium compartment. I have seen some people who just put in a plastic tub or something and cut holes in it for circulation. I know I've seen Phil grow them in 2 liter bottles in his system. I need to get some algaes in their for nitrate absorption. Anyone have any suggestions on an alternative to this.

 

[carb850]

Could you glue up an cube out of light diffuser (eggcreate or whatever)?

 

[jmccown]

hmm, eggcrate would be a good idea. But does it float? Guess I could weight it down with LR. would be easy to make

 

[brian@sen]

I don't know if you have spent much time in the DIY forum but some people have used a pressure fit baffle that kinda works. It works as long as you do it just right and the water level is about the same on both sides. Basically they cut a piece of acrylic 1/4" narrower than thier sump and put some kind of gasket material along the edges and just wedge it in. Obviously if it is cut perfectly you're good to go, to short and it will not have enough pressure to hold, to wide and it could shatter your sump. Since this would be just for a refugium it might be worth looking at. Here is a link to the original website this method came from http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_3/cav3i1/Baffles/baffles.htm . HTH

 

[LtPiper]

If you took egg crate and attached it with zip ties to some PVC it wouldn't float.

 

[coralreefer]

Why would it matter if the egg crate did float? My chaeto floats in the top of the 'fuge anyway.

 

[snowstar]

Hey there --- are you really looking for nitrate export or also phosphate export? I guess I'm asking because I rarely have algae problems but I am currently using a phosphate reactor and rowa.

If you have a sand bed in your tank perhaps you need to increase or re-direct flow so that you have better flow across the sand bed. Maybe your sand bed is needing to be "re-charged" or maybe you could just add more critters. If you are running bare bottom then perhaps again you need to add more flow or reposition the flow so that detritus is not accumulating anywhere to fuel the algae.

There are lots of solutions to algea problems - most revolve around flow - either increased or re-distributed. While I can understand the desire for using macro algae as an export - hence the refugium boom. I have always been under the impression that 'fuges should be areas for "quiet" low flow, and that one of the greatest benefits of the 'fuge was the opportunity to "grow food" for the display tank. It sounds like since you do not have a true 'fuge compartment that you will have difficulty controlling the flow to/thru the macro-algae - so it's potential as food source propagation is negligible....

I just am not a big fan of using animals or "plants" for nutrient export - that just becomes a new waste source to manage - I personally prefer to minimize waste sources - how I will accomplish that as I move away from technology (reactors etc) to more natural reef keeping methods I have not figured out yet....

Oh one other thing about macro-algae --- again not wanting to start a flame war - but some folks on other boards are indicating that chaeto is a better nutrient filter when used w/out skimming. That skimming pulls to much of the nitrate/detritus out of the water column so if you are planning on using macros then perhaps you should make sure that water hits the 'fuge area before it hits the skimmer. I know this is opposite what one would normally want to do.....

Just some thoughts
L

 

[coralreefer]

Oh one other thing about macro-algae --- again not wanting to start a flame war - but some folks on other boards are indicating that chaeto is a better nutrient filter when used w/out skimming. That skimming pulls to much of the nitrate/detritus out of the water column so if you are planning on using macros then perhaps you should make sure that water hits the 'fuge area before it hits the skimmer. I know this is opposite what one would normally want to do.....

Interesting
I'd still want the skimmer to have the first shot. I'd rather try to remove excess nutrients before they become nitrate/detritus instead of leaving them for plants to eat. I do know chaeto tends to trap detritus and can become another nutrient sink if not rinsed/removed regularly.

I just am not a big fan of using animals or "plants" for nutrient export - that just becomes a new waste source to manage - I personally prefer to minimize waste sources - how I will accomplish that as I move away from technology (reactors etc) to more natural reef keeping methods I have not figured out yet....

Weren't we discussing turf scrubbers recently IMO one drawback of using macro-algae for nutrient control is they can "leak" nutrients back out.

I don't have a true 'fuge either. Just an area in the center of the sump to grow chaeto. It is low flow because of the sump design.
I think it's a term that has taken on different meanings over the years. While some still want the classic "refuge" for pods etc. others think it's a place to grow macros to control nutrients. Truthfully the main reason I have what I call a "fuge" is Matt gave me some chaeto years ago.

I'd like to read those threads about chaeto and skimming. Are they on RF or somewhere else?

 

[snowstar]

yep they are RF --- and are pretty interesting. I do not have the specific links. But could probably get them --- Up shot was while there are some very well known and respected "professionals" who are running macro only for filtration - they are only using it on some project tanks or smaller tanks at their house... They are still using large and aggressive skimmers on their primary house and business displays. Another theme of the threads over there is what some call success others call a flash in the pan --- success is using a method for several years (well at least two or more) NOT the tank has been healthy for 5 months.... :rollface:

Yeah we were discussing turf scrubbers ---- but that is really a whole different kettle of fish at least in my mind. That involves running the aquarium water over plates designed to grow different types of algae special lighting for the filter.... notice the plurality of plates... It's a huge footprint for filtration --- and a lot of work keeping the plates correctly harvested so that nutrients don't begin to leak back. BUT the advantage however small is that with a properly designed turf scrubber you don't worry about detritus IF I had the room and the time I would like to set up a true turf scrubber and try keeping say a 120 with a DSB no skimmer and minimal technology to keep oh say elegance coral, and some other LPS and softies.... I just don't have that kind of room and time....

L

 

[firefish2020]

I don't run a skimmer on the 54 corner at the shop I use plants BUT I hate plants in a real reef system, they take over quickly unless you weed them back. In this tank I usually pull out about a Lb of Macros every two weeks. I don't really like it but the tank is balanced so I leave it as it is. i does however show that given enough room Algaes can take up the work of a skimmer in some sytems.

 

[coralreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10861320#post10861320 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snowstar
Yeah we were discussing turf scrubbers ---- but that is really a whole different kettle of fish at least in my mind. That involves running the aquarium water over plates designed to grow different types of algae special lighting for the filter.... notice the plurality of plates... It's a huge footprint for filtration --- and a lot of work keeping the plates correctly harvested so that nutrients don't begin to leak back. BUT the advantage however small is that with a properly designed turf scrubber you don't worry about detritus IF I had the room and the time I would like to set up a true turf scrubber and try keeping say a 120 with a DSB no skimmer and minimal technology to keep oh say elegance coral, and some other LPS and softies.... I just don't have that kind of room and time....
L

Did I mention I'm glad you're back

If they're on RF I can probably dig around and find them. I imagine I might know who some of the "professionals" are

Another theme of the threads over there is what some call success others call a flash in the pan --- success is using a method for several years (well at least two or more) NOT the tank has been healthy for 5 months....

Use to be that way here too until they got shouted down by the 5 month wonders :rolleye1: but I agree with the theory.

Ron what's your water change schedule/amount on that tank?

 

[firefish2020]

Ron what's your water change schedule/amount on that tank?

He he he you really want to know?

This tank is in balance and all I do is add water. DO NOT REPEAT THIS ON YOUR REEF TANKS unless you know what they are doing and by that I mean what the nutrient import export factors may be. I have not changed water in it for over 5 months but I will be changing some in about another week or so. I don't want to do to much because it's balanced out the way it is. Low fish load, light coral load (xenia) and lots of macros. I belive the success is from the Xenia and Oh yes aiptasia as much as the plants that are in the tank. WHAT! Did I say aiptasia in my reef tank and it was good in a way? Yep I did, every thing in that tank no matter how bad it may be in another system works for the benefit of that particular system. The aiptasia and the xenia are part of the balance and I don't dare change that.

Now don't get me wrong I would not recommend this on anyone else's tank, this is for those of us who know what's going on in our systems. This tank has no SPS or LPS so it's much easier to maintain and know what's going on than my other systems.

I'm sure that just confused a lot of people.